March 6, 2009 - Ontario is looking to become the latest jurisdiction to go after tobacco companies for misrepresenting the health risks of smoking and costing the province billions of dollars. Attorney General Chris Bentley has introduced new legislation that, if passed, could allow the provincial government to seek billions of dollars in damages from the three big Canadian cigarette manufacturers: Imperial Tobacco; Rothmans, Benson and Hedges; and JTI-Macdonald. If Ontario doesn't act now, it could also miss its chance to sue JTI-Macdonald, which is under bankruptcy protection.The legislation is based on a similar bill in British Columbia that alleges tobacco companies marketed light cigarettes as safer than regular ones, and targeted their marketing toward children. (B.C.'s efforts yielded positive results.) Ontario is looking to become the latest jurisdiction to go after tobacco companies for misrepresenting the health risks of smoking and costing the province billions of dollars.

Attorney General Chris Bentley has introduced new legislation that, if passed, could allow the provincial government to seek billions of dollars in damages from the three big Canadian cigarette manufacturers: Imperial Tobacco; Rothmans, Benson and Hedges; and JTI-Macdonald.

"Ontario taxpayers should not have to pay for health-care costs if they are caused by alleged wrongs by others," Bentley said Wednesday.

"This is about holding tobacco companies accountable."

The legislation is based on a similar bill in British Columbia that alleges tobacco companies marketed light cigarettes as safer than regular ones, and targeted their marketing toward children. It is also alleged the companies conspired to hold back research about the harmful effects of tobacco and to undermine the health warnings that had been issued, Bentley said, noting those allegations have yet to be proved in court.